TWI687849B - Switch module and mouse using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a switch module including a base, a common terminal, an opening terminal, an elastic sheet, an upper cover and a flexible element. The elastic sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the elastic sheet is disposed on the common terminal, the second portion of the elastic sheet is located above the opening terminal. The upper cover is disposed on the base and covered the common terminal, the opening terminal and the elastic sheet. The flexible element is disposed between the upper cover and the second portion of the elastic sheet. In response to an external force is released, the second portion of the elastic sheet is contacted the flexible element during movement of the second portion of the elastic sheet away from the base by the elastic restoring force of the elastic sheet without generating sound. Besides, the present invention also provides a mouse having the above switch module.

Description

Switch module and mouse with the switch module

The invention relates to the field of a mouse, in particular to a mouse for reducing the sound of keystrokes.

In the current era of information technology, electronic devices such as computers have been popularized. Almost every family has more than one computer. The mouse is responsible for connecting the computer and the user. The importance of it is unquestionable. The number of inventions such as improvements or new functions of mouse devices has increased year by year.

First, the structure of the conventional mouse is described. Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic sectional view of the structure of the conventional mouse. The mouse 1 includes a base 10, a mouse housing 11, a button 12, a scroll wheel 14, a circuit board 15 and a micro switch 16, the circuit board 15 is disposed on the base 10, and the micro switch 16 is disposed on the circuit board 15, and the mouse The casing 11 covers the base 10, and the button 12 is disposed on the mouse casing 11 and above the micro switch 16, wherein the button 12 has a trigger portion 13, and the scroll wheel 14 is used by the user to provide a Window scrolling function.

When the user presses the button 12, the button 12 and the trigger part 13 move down to trigger the trigger part 13 to press the micro switch 16, so that the micro switch 16 generates a signal to the circuit board 15 to perform the key function. Next, the internal structure of the micro switch is described. Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B at the same time. FIG. 2A is a side view of the structure of a conventional mouse micro switch, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the structure of a conventional mouse micro switch. The micro switch 16 includes a switch base 161, a press Element 168 and the upper cover 162. The upper cover 162 has a hole 163. In addition, the micro switch 16 also includes the following components: a common terminal 165 is provided at one end of the switch base 161, and a normally open terminal 166 is provided at the other end of the switch base 161, and a normally closed side is provided at the side of the normally open terminal 166端164. In addition, one end of an elastic piece 167 is disposed on the common end 165, and a bump 1671 at the other end contacts the normally closed end 167 when the pressing element 168 abuts the elastic piece. The pressing element 168 includes a pressing portion 1681 and a flange 1682, and the pressing portion 1681 of the pressing element 168 passes through the perforation 163 of the upper cover 162 so that the flange 1682 around the pressing portion 1681 contacts the perforation 163 of the upper cover 162, wherein the convex The edge 1682 is used to prevent the pressing element 168 from sliding out of the through hole 163.

The micro switch 16 mainly relies on the contact state between the shrapnel 167 and the common terminal 165, the normally open terminal 166, and the normally closed terminal 164 to generate a switching signal. In the unstressed state, the spring piece 167 contacts the normally closed end 164 through the bump 1671 at the other end; when the pressing element 168 of the micro switch 16 is touched by the trigger portion 13 (see FIG. 1), The pressing element 168 presses down the top elastic piece 167, so that the convex point 1671 on the elastic piece 167 leaves the normally closed end 164 and makes the elastic piece 167 contact with the normally open end 166. At this time, the common end 165 forms a loop through the elastic piece 167 and the normally open end 166, and makes The micro switch 16 generates a uniform energy signal. When the external force received by the pressing element 168 is released, the elastic piece 167 is no longer pressed by the pressing element 168 and leaves the normally open end 166, and returns to the state where the bump 1671 contacts the normally closed end 164.

When the pressing element 168 is pressed, the pressing element 168 moves downward and presses against the elastic piece 167 to make the elastic piece 167 contact with the normally open end 166 to form a loop and generate a conduction signal. When the external force pressing the pressing element 168 disappears, the elastic force of the elastic piece 167 rebounds the pressing element 168 back to the position before the original force was not applied. During the process of returning the elastic piece 167 to its original position, the convex point 1671 on the elastic piece 167 will hit the normal端端164. Since the conventional micro switch 16 hits the normally closed end 164 with a bump 1671 during operation, such an impact causes the micro switch to be operated Produces a loud sound. Therefore, how to improve the above-mentioned problems is actually the focus of relevant people in the field.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a switch module, in which a soft element is arranged between the upper cover and the elastic sheet, so as to eliminate the sound of the elastic sheet rebounding and colliding with the internal structure, so as to reduce the noise generated when the switch module is operated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mouse which is provided with a soft element between the upper cover of the switch module and the elastic sheet, so as to eliminate the sound of the elastic sheet rebounding against the internal structure, so as to reduce the noise generated when operating the switch module .

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be further understood from the technical features disclosed by the present invention.

In order to achieve one, part, all or all of the above or other objectives, the present invention provides a switch module, which includes a base, a common end, a normally open end, an elastic sheet, an upper cover, and a flexible element. The common end is disposed at the first end of the base. The normally open end is disposed at the second end opposite to the first end of the base. The shrapnel includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the shrapnel is disposed at the common end, and the second part of the shrapnel is located above the normally open end. The upper cover is arranged on the base and covers the common end, the normally open end and the shrapnel. The flexible element is arranged between the upper cover and the second part of the elastic sheet. When the shrapnel responds to the pressure of the external force, the shrapnel deforms, so that the second part of the shrapnel moves toward the base and contacts the normally open end, so that the common end and the normally open end are electrically connected, and when the external force applied to the shrapnel is released At this time, the second part of the elastic sheet is moved away from the base by the elastic restoring force of the elastic sheet to contact the soft element.

In order to achieve one, part, or all of the above or other objects, the present invention also provides a mouse, including a base, a mouse housing, a key, a circuit board, and a switch module. The mouse shell covers the base. The buttons are arranged on the mouse casing, and the operation surface of the buttons is exposed from the surface of the mouse casing and can be touched. The circuit board is arranged on the base. The switch module is disposed between the circuit board and the key. The switch module includes a base, a common end, a normally open end, a spring piece, an upper cover, and a soft element. The common end is disposed at the first end of the base. The normally open end is disposed at the second end opposite to the first end of the base. The shrapnel includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the shrapnel is disposed at the common end, and the second part of the shrapnel is located above the normally open end. The upper cover is arranged on the base and covers the common end, the normally open end and the shrapnel. The flexible element is arranged between the upper cover and the second part of the elastic sheet. When the button is pressed, the elastic sheet deforms and the second part of the elastic sheet moves closer to the substrate and contacts the normally open end, so that the common end and the normally open end are electrically connected. When the button is not pressed, by The elastic restoring force of the elastic piece contacts the flexible element while the second part of the elastic piece moves away from the substrate.

In order to make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are described in detail below.

1, 2‧‧‧ mouse

10, 20‧‧‧ base

11, 21‧‧‧Mouse shell

12, 22‧‧‧ button

13‧‧‧ Trigger

14, 24‧‧‧wheel

15, 23‧‧‧ circuit board

16‧‧‧Micro switch

25‧‧‧Switch module

161‧‧‧Switch base

162, 254‧‧‧ cover

163, 2540‧‧‧Perforation

164‧‧‧normally closed end

165, 251‧‧‧ common end

166, 252

167, 253‧‧‧ shrapnel

168, 256‧‧‧Pressing element

210‧‧‧Surface

211‧‧‧Opening

220‧‧‧Operation surface

221‧‧‧Key

222‧‧‧ Trigger Department

250‧‧‧Dock

255‧‧‧Soft components

1671‧‧‧Bump

1681‧‧‧Pressing part

1682‧‧‧Flange

E1‧‧‧The first end

E2‧‧‧Second end

P1‧‧‧Part 1

P2‧‧‧Part 2

S1‧‧‧Top

S2‧‧‧Bottom

S3‧‧‧First side

S4‧‧‧Second side

W1‧‧‧First side wall

W2‧‧‧Second side wall

W3‧‧‧Top wall

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of a conventional mouse; FIG. 2A is a structural side view of a micro switch of a conventional mouse; FIG. 2B is a structural cross-sectional view of a micro switch of the conventional mouse; FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the invention 4 is a schematic sectional view of the structure of the switch module 25 shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5A is a schematic sectional view of the structure of the switch module shown in FIG. 4 when it is pressed; FIG. 5B is a schematic view of FIG. 4 The schematic cross-sectional view of the switch module shown when the touch pressure is released.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mouse structure according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the mouse 2 of this embodiment includes a base 20, a mouse housing 21, a key 22, a circuit board 23, a scroll wheel 24, and a switch module 25. The mouse casing 21 covers the base 20. The button 22 is disposed on the mouse casing 21, and the operation surface 220 of the button 22 is exposed from the surface 210 of the mouse casing 21 and can be pressed and operated. The circuit board 23 is disposed on the base 20. The scroll wheel 24 is disposed in the mouse casing 21, and part of the scroll wheel 24 is exposed from the mouse casing 21 to be operated by the user and perform functions such as window scrolling. The switch module 25 is disposed between the circuit board 23 and the key 22. Specifically, the mouse housing 21 of this embodiment includes an opening 211, and the key 22 includes a key portion 221 and a trigger portion 222. The key portion 221 includes the above-mentioned operation surface 220, and the trigger portion 222 is toward the base 20 It extends through the opening 211 of the mouse casing 21 and contacts the switch module 25.

The detailed structure of the switch module 25 of the embodiment of the present invention will be further described below.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of the switch module 25 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the switch module 25 of this embodiment includes a base 250, a common end 251, a normally open end 252, an elastic piece 253, an upper cover 254 and a flexible element 255. The common end 251 is disposed at the first end E1 of the base 250. The normally open end 252 is disposed at the second end E2 of the base 250 opposite to the first end E1. The elastic piece 253 includes a first portion P1 and a second portion P2, and the first portion P1 of the elastic piece 253 is disposed at the common end 251, and the second portion P2 of the elastic piece 253 is located above the normally open end 252. The upper cover 254 is disposed on the base 250 and covers the common end 251, the normally open end 252, the elastic piece 253, and the flexible element 255. The flexible element 255 is disposed between the upper cover 254 and the second portion P2 of the elastic piece 253.

4, the upper cover 254 of this embodiment includes first and second side walls W1 and W2 opposite to each other and a top wall W3 adjacent to the first and second side walls W1 and W2. The top wall W3 of the upper cover 254 and the base 250 are opposite to each other. That is to say, the common end 251, the normally open end 252, the elastic piece 253 and the flexible element 255 are all located between the top wall W3 and the base 250. The side wall W1 is close to the common end 251, the second side wall W2 of the upper cover 254 is close to the normally open end 252, and the flexible element 255 is located between the top wall W3 of the upper cover 254 and the second portion P2 of the elastic piece 253.

Specifically, the flexible element 255 of this embodiment includes a top surface S1 and a bottom surface S2 facing each other, and a first side surface S3 and a second side surface S4 adjacent to the top surface S1 and the bottom surface S2. The top surface S1 of the flexible element 255 faces the top wall W3 of the upper cover 254, the bottom surface S2 of the flexible element 255 faces the base 250, that is, the direction of the second portion P2 of the elastic piece 253, and the first side S3 of the flexible element 255 faces the upper cover 254 The first side wall W1, the second side S4 of the soft element 255 faces the second side wall W2 of the upper cover 254, in this embodiment, the top surface S1 of the soft element 255 directly contacts the top wall W3 of the upper cover 254, and the soft element 255 The second side S4 directly contacts the second side wall W2 of the upper cover 254. It should be noted that the connection relationship between the soft element 255 and the upper cover 254 is only one of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the soft element 255 is, for example, Only the top surface S1 directly contacts the top wall W3 of the upper cover 254.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 4. The switch module 25 of this embodiment further includes a pressing element 256, and the upper cover 254 includes a through hole 2540 penetrating the top wall W3. In this embodiment, the pressing element 256 contacts the first portion P1 of the elastic piece 253, and the pressing element 256 extends away from the elastic piece 253 and passes through the perforation 2540 of the upper cover 254. When the pressing element 256 corresponds to the trigger portion 222 of the key 22 ( As shown in FIG. 3), the first piece P1 of the elastic piece 253 is pressed against the pressing force, thereby deforming the elastic piece 253.

The following further describes the operation mode of the switch module 25 of this embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 4, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and please refer to FIG. 3 at the same time. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the switch module shown in FIG. 4 when it is touched. 5C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the switch module shown in FIG. 4 when the touch pressure is released. As shown in FIG. 4, when the elastic piece 253 of the switch module 25 is not pressed by the external force, that is, the button 22 of the mouse 2 is not pressed, the trigger portion 222 of the button 22 does not touch the pressing of the switch module 25 For the element 256, the pressing element 256 will not abut the elastic piece 253, and the elastic piece 253 itself will not be deformed. At this time, the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 is located at the starting position where it will not contact the normally open end 252 and the flexible element 255. Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the elastic piece 253 of the switch module 25 is pressed against the external force, that is, the button 22 of the mouse 2 is pressed, the trigger portion 222 of the button 22 will press the pressing element of the switch module 25 256, so that the pressing element 253 abuts the first part P1 of the elastic piece 253 to deform it. At this time, the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 moves toward the base 250 and contacts the normally open end 252, so that the common end 251 and The normally open end 252 is electrically connected to issue an enable signal. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the external force applied to the elastic piece 253 of the switch module 25 is released, that is, the touch state of the button 22 of the mouse 2 is released, and at the same time, the trigger portion 222 of the button 22 is released. The state of the pressing element 256 of the pressure switch module 25 and the state of the pressing element 253 against the first part P1 of the elastic piece 253, at this time, the elastic piece 253 makes the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 move away from the base by its own elastic restoring force The direction of the seat 250 moves. During the movement, the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 first contacts the bottom surface S2 of the flexible element 255, and then the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 moves to the normally open end 252 as shown in FIG. Starting position with soft element 255.

It should be noted that the second portion P2 of the elastic piece 253 shown in FIG. 4 is located at the starting position where it does not contact the normally open end 252 and the flexible element 255, which is only one of the implementations of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to this. The starting position of the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 can also be in a state where the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253 shown in FIG. 5B is in contact with the flexible element 255.

In this embodiment, since the flexible element 255 is disposed between the upper cover 254 and the second part P2 of the elastic piece 253, when the external force applied to the elastic piece 253 of the switch module 25 is released, the second part of the elastic piece 253 When P2 moves away from the base 250, it touches the soft element 255 without directly hitting the top wall W3 of the upper cover 254. In such a case, no sound will be generated between the elastic piece 253 and the soft element 255 In this way, it is possible to solve the problem of the sound generated by the rebound of the shrapnel colliding with the internal structure, thereby reducing the noise generated when the switch module 25 is operated. In this embodiment, the material of the soft element 255 includes silicone rubber and foam. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The soft element 255 can be used according to the actual situation on the premise that the elastic piece 253 and the soft element 255 do not produce sound when contacted. For the needs of the material, choose the appropriate material other than the materials listed above. In addition, it should be particularly noted that the present invention does not limit the thickness of the flexible element 255, that is, the distance between the top surface S1 and the bottom surface S2 of the flexible element 255, which does not affect the user's feeling of pressing (that is, the elastic piece 253 Under the premise that the second part P2 moves to contact the normally open end 252), the thickness of the flexible element 255 can be increased or decreased according to the actual situation.

In summary, the switch module of the embodiment of the present invention and the electric mouse with the switch module are provided with a soft conductive element between the upper cover and the elastic sheet, so that the elastic sheet contacts the soft element during the process of releasing the rebound due to external force It will not directly hit the upper cover to make a sound, so as to eliminate the sound of the shrapnel rebounding against the internal structure, so as to reduce the noise generated when operating the switch module. In addition, with such a structural design, in addition to reducing the noise generated when operating the switch module, it also maintains the user's feeling of pressing when operating the mouse.

However, the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which should not be used to limit the scope of the implementation of the present invention, that is, the scope of patent application and invention description according to the present invention The simple equivalent changes and modifications to be made are still covered by the patent of the present invention. In addition, any embodiment or scope of patent application of the present invention need not meet all the objectives, advantages or features disclosed by the invention. In addition, the abstract part and title are only used to assist the search of patent documents, not to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" mentioned in this specification or the scope of patent application are only used to name the element or distinguish different embodiments or ranges, not to limit the number of elements. Upper or lower limit.

25‧‧‧Switch module

250‧‧‧Dock

251‧‧‧Common

252‧‧‧normal start

253‧‧‧Shrapnel

254‧‧‧Cover

255‧‧‧Soft components

256‧‧‧Pressing element

2540‧‧‧Perforation

E1‧‧‧The first end

E2‧‧‧Second end

P1‧‧‧Part 1

P2‧‧‧Part 2

S1‧‧‧Top

S2‧‧‧Bottom

S3‧‧‧First side

S4‧‧‧Second side

W1‧‧‧First side wall

W2‧‧‧Second side wall

W3‧‧‧Top wall

Claims (10)

A switch module includes: a base; a common end, which is arranged at a first end of the base; a normally open end, which is arranged at a second end of the base opposite to the first end; an elastic piece, It includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the elastic piece is arranged at the common end, the second part of the elastic piece is located above the normally open end; an upper cover is arranged at the base and covers the common end, The normally open end and the elastic piece; and a soft element disposed between the upper cover and the second part of the elastic piece; wherein, when the elastic piece is pressed by an external force, the elastic piece deforms to cause the elastic piece The second part moves toward the base and contacts the normally open end, so that the common end and the normally open end are electrically connected, and when the external force applied to the shrapnel is released, the elastic restoring force of the shrapnel In the process of moving the second portion of the elastic sheet away from the base, it contacts the flexible element. The switch module according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the upper cover includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other and a top wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second side wall, the The top wall and the base are opposite to each other, the first side wall is close to the common end, the second side wall is close to the normally open end, and the flexible element is located between the top wall and the second portion of the elastic sheet. The switch module according to item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the flexible element includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposed to each other, and a first side surface and the second side surface adjacent to the top surface and the bottom surface, The top surface faces the top wall of the upper cover, the bottom surface faces the base, the first side faces the first side wall of the top cover, the second side faces the second side wall of the top cover, and the top surface contacts The top wall and the second side contact the second side wall. The switch module of claim 3, wherein when the external force applied to the elastic sheet is released, the second part of the elastic sheet contacts the bottom surface of the flexible element while moving away from the substrate . The switch module as described in item 2 of the patent application scope further includes a pressing element, and the upper cover includes a perforation penetrating the top wall, the pressing element contacts the first portion of the elastic sheet, and the pressing element faces away The direction of the elastic sheet extends through the perforation of the upper cover, and the pressing element abuts against the first portion of the elastic sheet due to the external force, so that the elastic sheet is deformed. The switch module as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the material of the soft element includes a silicone rubber and a foam. A mouse includes: a base; a mouse shell covering the base; a button arranged on the mouse shell, an operation surface of the key is exposed from a surface of the mouse shell Can be touched; a circuit board, which is arranged on the base; and a switch module, which is arranged between the circuit board and the key, the switch module comprises: a base; a common end, which is arranged on the base A first end of the seat; a normally open end, disposed at a second end of the base opposite to the first end; an elastic piece, including a first part and a second part, the first part of the elastic piece is arranged at the A common end, the second part of the shrapnel is located above the normally open end; an upper cover is disposed on the base and covers the common end, the normally open end and the shrapnel; and A soft element is disposed between the upper cover and the second portion of the elastic sheet; wherein, when the key is pressed, the elastic sheet deforms to move the second portion of the elastic sheet toward the substrate and Contact with the normally open end to form an electrical connection between the common end and the normally open end, when the key is not pressed, the second part of the spring piece is directed away from the substrate by the elastic restoring force of the spring piece The soft element is contacted during the directional movement. The mouse as described in item 8 of the patent application scope further includes a scroll wheel disposed on the mouse casing, and part of the scroll wheel is exposed from the mouse casing. The scroll wheel is used to provide a window scrolling function. The mouse as described in item 8 of the patent application range, wherein the switch module further includes a pressing element, and the upper cover includes a perforation penetrating the top wall, the pressing element contacts the first portion of the elastic sheet, and the The pressing element extends away from the elastic piece and passes through the perforation of the upper cover. The pressing element resists the first portion of the elastic piece due to the external force, so that the elastic piece deforms. The mouse as described in item 9 of the patent application, wherein the mouse housing includes an opening, the key includes a key portion and a trigger portion, the key portion includes the operation surface, and the trigger portion faces the base Direction extends through the opening of the mouse housing and contacts the pressing element of the switch module.

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